Powerful Dem Presses for Safer Crude-by-Rail Shipments

Scorched oil tankers remain on July 10, 2013 at the train derailment site in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. Edward Bukhardt, CEO of Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railways Inc.,(MMA) told reporters Wednesday that the train was left running while the engineer spent the night sleeping in a hotel in Nantes, adding that the engineer was following standard 'industry practice.' The train carrying crude oil from North Dakota derailed in the town of Lac-Megantic overnight Friday, causing a massive fire and explosions that killedat least 15 people, with another 45 still missing.National Journal

Schumer, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team, is calling on the Transportation Department to complete a rule that will force carriers to phase out or retrofit their rail cars, the news service reports.

"There are serious safety concerns about the rail cars that carry this oil and the risk they pose to the lives of New Yorkers, to our infrastructure, and our environment," he said Monday.

A recent derailment and explosion in North Dakota, where oil production is booming, is the latest of several accidents involving trains carrying crude oil.